Adjustable automatic fluid dispenser



April 22 1952 Filed Jan. 14, 1949 B. D. MENKIN ET AL ADJUSTABLE AUTOMATIC FLUID DIsPENSER I Q 21 I 2 SHEETS-SHEET l I N VEN TORS'.

BENJAM/N 04 W0 MEN/(IN FRANK M. DARLING HUEBNERG BEEHLER A mamma SGALDW LL. BY ,(MQ ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 22, 1952 OFFICE- ADJUSTABLE" AUTOMATIC FLUID DISPENSER 1 Benjamin DavidMenkin, Los Angeles, and

Frank M. Darling, Pasadena, Calif.

Application January 14, 1949, Serial No. 70,824

This invention relates to liquid dispensing apparatus or the like and more particularly to a new and improved dispenser, valve construction therefor and associated functional parts.

Dispensing apparatus of various types are known to the prior art but none of them embody a satisfactory-cover or pump mechanism nor provide for sanitation at the outlet orifice. Moreover, when the container is upset the contents spill. Leakage also frequently occurs during the normal operation of the mechanism around slidable or other moving parts. In addition, a pump stroke suiiiciently long to be satisfactory forcertain liquids or purposes delivers too much fluid for,

other liquids or uses.

Valve mechanisms now in use are designed for production from plastic materials or, if designed to be made from metal, prove too costly for sale to and use by the general public. Obviously, plastic, although perfectly satisfactory for such substances as alcohol, is unsatisfactory for containing many of the common solvents such as acetone and the like.

Oil, on the other hand, tends by capillary action to creep over the surface of the container resulting in a final messy appearance and causing .the

oil-coated container to become a collector for dust, thus obviating the desired sanitation which is'one of the requisites of a container and dispenser of the character intended Stainless steel being a material of choice, it is a particular object of this invention to provide a satisfactory container which can be made of this or the like material for safety, conveniently, and economically holding caustic solutions, solvents and the like.

In view of the above, it is manifestly among the objects of this invention to provide a safe, satisfactory and convenient dispensing container and dispensing means, as stated, which will avoid the above difiiculties associated with prior art devices heretofore known. i

It is another object of this invention to.pro-

13 Claims. (Cl. 222-4205) Yet another object of the invention is to provide means whereby fluid tending to escape between sliding parts of the pump assembly, as during operation, will be permitted to return to the reservoir.

Another further object of the invention is to provide readily adjustable preferably pro-determined means for regulating the length of a pump stroke and hence to control the quantity of material pumped at each such stroke.

Another further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved convenient sanitary and attractive cap or cover for a delivery dish for said dispenser.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved sanitary and eflicient discharge orifice, web, and adjacent construction in combination.

It is also among the objects of this invention to provide improvements over prior art devices heretofore used for analogous purposes.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser selected as illustrating the invention,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the dispenser.

Figure 3 is a partially exploded view of a portion of the operative mechanism.

Figure 4 is a sectional view as on a line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken as on a line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of a modifled form of dispensing apparatus.

Figure '7 is a fragmental sectional view as on a line 1-1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of a still further modified "form of container.

. Figure 9 is a sectional view as on a line 9--9 of Figure 8.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a dispensing container generally designated by the numeral 10 comprises a pump mechanism H and a container l2.

The pump mechanism I I may be secured to the container l2 by any suitable means such as a male thread l3 upon the container and a female thread I4 upon the pump, as will be more fully set forth. A flattened, ring-type gasket 15 of conventional construction preferably seals the upper edge It of the container between said edge and the corresponding pump portion ll.

The pump II comprises a piston assembly and a cylinder assembly 2 l.

The piston assembly preferably comprises a delivery cup 23 having an axial orifice 24 formed therein and an offset portion 25 surrounding the orifice, designed to be clamped or peened beneath a flange or shoulder 26 of a thickness equal to the offset 25, and a flare-shaped" upper portion 21 of a piston 28. By this means the upper surface 29 of the cup 23 is made flush with the corresponding surface of the flange 26 to provide maximum strength and sanitation with economi cal construction.

At its rim 39 the assembly 29 may be formed with an up-struck ear 3! corresponding with a cut-out portion 32 in the edge 33 of a cap 34 which may thereby be hinged to the top of the L piston assembly in a manner to cover and protect the cup 23, as by means of a hinge pin 36 preferably formed of a straight springy wire adapted to be confined within the curled-over edge 33 of the cap for a substantial distance therearound. Thereby, not only is a hinge pin provided but the cap is given a desired weight, form and rigidity while the hinge so formed is neat and attractive in. appearance affording a desired sanitary and easily cleaned construction. A leaf spring 31 secured to the piston 38 and having a preferably arcuate end 31" urged against the arched wire 3%, as between the ears 3 l, holds the cover 34 yieldably in extremes of closed and open (i. e., preferably greater than 90) positions.

The piston 28 by means of the cylindrical walls 38 and 4!! makes a close but slidable fit within the .bore 4! of a cylinder 42 and is further formed with an annular restricted area or recess '33 defining spaced shoulders 44 and 45. is further provided with a bore 48 and a counterbore 49, the latter forming a tapered valve seat 50 for a ball valve 5l which is normally held in closed position thereagainst as by means of a tapered coil spring 52 which is supported against a right-lined, preferably square keeper, spider, or outlet guard 53 optionally press fit within the counterbore 39. The lower end of the piston 28 around the bore :38 is formed with a depending flange 55 for a coil springiifi nested at its lower end in a counterbore 51 the tapered walls 58 of which provide a seat for a gravity ball check valve 59 which guards a bore as. The bore 60 provides, together with the bore 48 and a depending conduit iii, a passageway for a fluid 62 continuous with a fluid pressure chamber 55 and outlet valve chamber 51.

The walls of the counterbore 49 comprising the upper valve or outlet chamber 51 are also continuous with and smoothly blend into the flared flange 26 and provide discrete, uninterrupted passageways 64 with the sides 85 of the plug 53. Said plug may be axially ported at 65. Its upper surfaces are preferably curved and dished out to conform to the surface 29 of the dish 23. This construction again provides an economical and sanitary outlet and may permit facile access to the ball valve 5| for centering the same or to the chamber 51 for cleaning if desired.

The conduit 61 may be press fit on a nipple it formed at the lower end of the cylinder 42.

Formed around the outside wall H of the cylinder, as shown, are three annular grooves 12, i3 and 14 into the first and last of which spring clips '15 and '16 may be clampingly held by their The piston own inherent resilience as illustrated most clearly in Figure 5. Corresponding ports 18, 13 and 85 extend radially between corresponding grooves 12, 13 and 'M and a recessed area or fluid-trap chamber 8 I,

Inwardly turned ends 83, for example, of the spring clips i6 project into the chamber 3i as keepers or stops engageable with the shoulders 44 and 45, respectively, to define desired limits extended or retracted reciprocatory movement of the dish 23 and its piston 28 within the cylinder 42.

The upper end 85 of the cylinder t2 is peened over in a similar manner to the flange 26 to hold a correspondingly tapered apron 85, said apron being formed with a depending annular flange 81 designed to make a slidable telescopic fit with in a complementary depending flange 89 of the piston assembly. Thereby, the main piston and cylinder parts are retained in alignment, and sanitation, and strength, including a pleasing appearance, are simultaneously achieved. Preferably the lower marginal edge 98 of the upper flange 89 is clean-cut and plain while the correspondingly marginal edge 9| of the lower flange 81 may be rolled for added strengthand finished appearance.

The mechanism above described may be adjusted for length of stroke and volume of delivery of material as by removing the spring clips 15 and 16 from or to one or another of the grooves l2, 13, or- T4. Thus, if it is desired to have a stroke of maximum length for maximum fluid 7, delivery per downward stroke of piston, the spring clip 15 may be removed from the groove "it, as

illustrated most clearly in Figure 2, whereupon the shoulder 44 will be permitted to travel downwardly as pressure is applied in the cup 23 (as by means of a piece of waste material, cotton or the shoulder 44 permitting a stroke equal to the 'end 33 of the spring clip 15 in the upward stroke of the piston 28 under the influence of the coil spring 56 and causing abutting engagement of said inwardly turned finger 83 and the shoulder 6 44 to define the downward limit of stroke.

It is also obviously possible to place either the spring clip 16 or the spring clip 75 in the groove 73 thereby permitting further modification and adjustment of the length of stroke of the piston 28.

In the use of the container, the pressure chamber 55 is closed at its lower end by the ball valve 59 under the influence of an applied downward pressure upon the cup 2|. Trapped fluid will be forced upwardly through the passage 48 past the ball valve 5| and out into the cup 23 through the chamber 51 and orifices B4 and 66.

Relieving downward pressure upon the cup 23 permits the return of the piston 28 to its upper limit of extension under the influence of the coil spring 56, thereby permitting the valve 5| to be closed by the spring 52 forming a vacuum in the chamber 55, opening the valve 59, and drawing the fluid 62 through the conduit 6| past said valve 59 and into the'pressure chamber 55 for delivery to the cup at the next enforced downward stroke of the piston 28.

During continuous pumping operations it may be seen that fluid may tend to leak slowly upwardly between the outer walls 38 and 40 of the piston 20 and the wall II of the cylinder bore. By virtue of the port I9, however, as illustrated by way of example in Figure 2 (or any,

other of the ports l2, l3 and 14 which may have been left open by the omission of a spring clip such as I5 and It, or even in the presence of such a spring clip by virtue of the optionally larger formation of the ports I8, I9 and 80 than the width of the grooves I2, 13 and 14), the fluid which would otherwise constitute leakage is returned to the reservoir 52 by way of the fluid trap and through said ports.

Notwithstanding this fact and in the event that the container is accidentally overturned, return leakage through the ports I2, I3 and I4 from the interior of the container I2 is prevented at the shoulder 44 and the adjacency of the wall 38 to the wall of the counterbore 4 I.

The preferred material of which the instant container is to be made is stainless steel in all of the parts thereof except the gasket I5 and, optionally, the container I2. Said container, like any of the other parts, may be made of stainless steel or other desired non-corrosive substance which is capable of withstanding the action of a chemical intended to be used therein. Stainless steel has been found experimentally and practically to be the material of choice as combining the qualities of neat appearance, relative low cost, good manufacturing characteristics, and a sanitary surface resistant to corrosion. It is contemplated that the device will find use in laboratories, doctors oflices, and other places where any number of chemicals are kept for repeated use, for treatment, or in emerencies.

The material as it enters the cup 23 is intended to be dipped up or absorbed by a suitable pad of waste cotton or other material for direct application to a point of intended use.

The modified form of apparatus illustrated in Figures 6 and '7 may comprise a container I preferably provided with a screw thread IOI adapted for the threaded securement of a cap I02 having an externally serrated rim I03 defining vertical grooves and ridges I04 and I05, respectively, and secured in any preferred fashion as by gluing, threading, or the like, at I01 to the cylinder I08 of the pump mechanism generally designated at I09.

As illustrated, the cylinder I08 is provided with a flange H0 by which the same may be secured to a corresponding oiiset area III of the cap. In other respects, the cylinder I08,may be optionally similar to the corresponding cylinder assembly 2| of the embodiment of Figures 1 through and accordingly like parts in the two embodiments have been designated by like numerals. An integral annulus H3 is designed to nest within a complementary groove in the cap portion I02 to assure the proper alignment of these parts during assembly.

The coil spring 55 may nest within a recess H5 in the bottom of a piston H6 preferably formed with an annular shoulder II'I defining an annular stop shoulder I I8, and another shoulder or stop II9 may be formed in spaced relationship to the shoulder I I8.

Any number of axially spaced ports I formed through the wall of the piston I08 may confront and communicate with a drainage space I2I between the piston and cylinder. The piston may be formed with any number of axially spaced ring-retaining grooves I22 corresponding to the ports I20 in a similar manner to the embodiment previously described. A pin, not shown, but similar to the other embodiments illustrated, may be inserted through the port I20 and confined within the groove I22 for engaging and limiting the stroke of the piston H5 to any desired extent. Any such pin may have a maximum limiting abutment against either the shoulder stop I I8 or H9, preferably the former. In any event, fluid escaping past the shoulder II'I during pumping movement may be readily returned to the containers through ports such as I20, thereby preventing its escape past the piston at the shoulder I23 or facilitating its return from thereabove.

The piston II5 has an axial port I24 communicating with a counter-bore I25 defining a chamber for a ball check valve I25.

Any number of ports I21 or the like formed in the bottom of a cup I28 are in communication with the chamber I25 permitting fluid in the container to be pumped into the concave surface I29 of the cup for use as described.

A depending annulus I30, preferably formed integrally with the cup I28, may provide means of securement to the upper end of the piston H6 as by gluing or other appropriate means.

Any ridges I32 may be formed in the inside edge of a depending flange I33 preferably con tinuous with the concave portion I29 of the dish and at the rim I34 of the latter for engagement in one or more grooves I04.

A cover I 31 having a suitably shaped finger piece I38 across the top I39 thereof may be pivotally secured as by a pivot construction I40 to any part of the lip I34 as a thickened portion I thereof for sidewise pivotal movement of the cap relative to the dish as upon a vertical axis I40. An annular shoulder MI and an upset shoulder I42 may be used to confine and center the axle portion I within a bore I45 in the cup.

The operation of the embodiment of Figures 6 and '7 is similar to that heretofore described in connection with the first embodiment with the exception that relative rotation of the cup I25 and the cap I02 is prevented by the ridge and groove construction I04, I05, and 32. This is especially desirable in the instant embodiment in order thatmanipulative movement tending to pivot the cover I35 will not cause corresponding In the embodiment of Figures 8 ands a pump .generally designated at I may comprise a depending conduit portion I5I having a bore 552 communicating with a restricted port I53 providing a seat for a ball valve I54. A valve chamber I55 provides an abutment for a coil spring 55.

A cylinder portion I5! includes a bore 553. communicating with the upper end of which is a radial opening I59 for the reception. of an ap- 7 propriately-shaped pin I60 having a finger. piece IBI formed therein for a purpose corresponding to those of the analogous pins of the preceding embodiment, as will be set forth.

Conical walls I62 provide a tapered edge Hi3 corresponding to that of a cup I64 carried by the piston and nestedfor reciprocative movement within a bore I55. The concave surface I6! of the cup terminates at a lip I68 adjacent the edge 69 of an otherwise tapered and rounded surface I'iil of the preferably one-piece cylinder assembly I59 defining a substantially uniform exterior with the concave surface l6! of the cup.

At the rim I12 9, depending flange I'I3 may be provided, said flange I13, rim H2, and surface Hi! thereby collectively comprising a cap for the container.

A piston I15 may be formed with a bore I'IB for the accommodation of the upper end of the spring I55 and a counterbore H in communication with the bore I58. A passage I'i'I leads from the bore I16 to an upper end N9 of the piston and a bore I86 in the cup portion I64 communieating with the concave surface of the cup by any ports IBi. A shoulder 582 may form an abutment with the corresponding lower end I33 of the cup I54. A nipple I85 thus formed in the upper portion of the piston H3 may be press fit within the bore I89. It has been found that these parts can he usually slipped together while the plastic of which they may be made is still hot as from the molding operation. Thereafter and during cooling of the parts a relative shrinking of the area of the bore lfiii occurs so that a tight fit is achieved between the nipple I85 and said bore.

In use, the cup I64 is reciprocated within the bore I66 thereby creating a pumping action substantially in a. manner heretofore described in connection with the first embodiment of Figures 1 through The conical surface I63 at the lowermost point of the stroke 566 may abut against the corresponding surface N53. The extent of upward movement of the cup is preferably restrained by the inner end I8! of the pin IEO in its abutment with a limiting shoulder or stop I88 formed in the piston I15. Manifestly, any number of axially spaced ports !59 may be provided in a similar manner to that illustrated in connection with the first embodiment, and the pin I613 may then be placed in varying'axial distan es in the wall of the cylinder to govern the amount of the piston stroke and hence the amount of fluid pumped at any single reciprocation.

It will be observed that by the interposition of a gasket H between the cap and the bottle set there will be no possible leakage of fluid from the container except to the extent the same may be deposited in the cup surface it! for use. Any excess fluid leaking into the area between the surfaces I63 and i532 may be forced into the cup as either upwardly between the cup and the surface of the bore I66 or downwardly through any ports I 59. In. the event there is only one tively lesser diameter.

The form of Figures 8 and 9 may be essentially with the exception of the ball valves I54 and I92, the spring I55 and the clip I60; which may be of metal, the gasket I96, and thecontainer I9I, which latter may be of metal, plastic, glass, or the like. The embodiment of Figures 8 and 9 may beused with alcohol, oil, and other nontacky materials by use of a swab as intended for the other embodiments. It is contemplated, however, that its main use will be found as a dispenser for finger nail polish remover and kindred purposes with or without a swab.

This invention features the provision of a new and improved dispensing container suitable for the convenient confinement of corrosive liquids in particular, providing factors of safety and sanitation and preventing leakage in use or accidental spillage. It likewise features a deviceof the desired character described having ready, preferably pro-adjusted, means for presetting the delivery rate of fluid per stroke of the piston to suit varying conditions of use as dictated by varying needs and the character of any contained liquid, agents.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace an and all equivalent structures.

The invention having been herein described, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fluid dispenser comprising a container,

cylinder means removably mounted upon said container and depending thereinto, piston means mounted for reciprocation within and normally projecting yieldably upwardly beyond said cylinder means and including axially spaced abutments, said cylinder and piston means defining a continuous communicating fluid passage therethrough, valve means in said cylinder means and said piston means, the latter means being effective to pump a fluid upwardly from said container through said passage, and an axially ported cup disposed at the upper end of said piston means in a position to receive a flow from said passage: a wall of the cylinder being formed with radial holes in axially spaced relationship, a spring clamp clampable around the cylinder and including an end adapted to be carried in any selected hole for engagement with said abutments to adjust the extent of relative reciprocating movement of the piston means within the cylinder means.

2. In a fiuid dispenser comprising a container, cylinder means removably mounted upon said container and depending thereinto; piston means mounted for reciprocation within and normally projecting yieldably upwardly beyond said cylinder means, said cylinder and piston means defining a continuous communicating fluid passage therethrough, valve means in said cylinder means and said piston means, the latter means being effective to pump a fluid upwardly from said container through said passage; an axially ported cup disposed at the upper end of said piston means in a position to receive a flow from said passage, and adjustable pin means, the cylinder wall having a plurality of vertically spaced radial holes therein, the pins being insertable in the holes to adjust the extent of relative reciprocating movement of the piston means within the cylinder means, and a dis- 9 penser cap supporting said pump within said container, one of said cap and said cup defining an axially disposed substantially frusto-conical recess and the other one of said cap and cup being formed to nest within and being telescopically reciprocable therein.

3. A fluid dispenser comprising a container, cylinder means removably mounted upon said container and depending thereinto, piston means mounted for reciprocation within and normally projecting upwardly beyond said cylinder means and including axially spaced abutments, said cylinder and piston means each having and defining a continuous communicating fluid passage therethrough, valve means in said cylinder means and said piston means, the latter means being effective to pump a fluid upwardly from said container through said passage, an axially ported cup disposed at the upper end of said" piston means in a position to receive a fiow from;

said passage, and adjustable means associated with said cylinder and piston means to limit the extent of relative reciprocating movement of the piston means within the cylinder means; said piston means including axially spaced shoulders, L

said cylinder means having clip-retaining annular grooves and corresponding axially spaced radial ports communicating with said grooves and extending through the walls of the cylinder means, at least one spring clip releasably retained by said clip-retaining grooves including a therethrough, valve means in said cylinder means" and said piston means, the latter means being effective to pump a fluid upwardly from said container through said passage, an axially ported cup disposed at the upper end of said piston means in a position to receive a flow from saidpassage, and adjustable means associated with said cylinder and piston means to limit the extent of relative reciprocating movement of the piston means within the cylinder means, said passage in said piston means being formed at its upper end with a counterbore, a ball valve confined within the counterbore normally closing the passage, and a substantially rectangular spider having an axial bore therethrough press fit within and flush with the upper end of the counterbore.

5. A, fluid dispenser comprising a container, cylinder means removably mounted upon said container and=depending thereinto, piston means mounted for reciprocation within and normally projecting upwardly-beyondsaid cylinder means and including axially spaced abutments, said cylinder and piston means each having and defining a continuous communicating fiuid passage therethrough, valve means in said cylinder means and said piston means, the latter means being effective to pump a fluid upwardly from said container through said passage, an axially ported cup disposed at the upper end of said piston means in a position to receive .a flow" 'from said passage, and adjustable means associated with said cylinder and piston means to limit the extent of relative reciprocating movement of the piston means within the cylinder means, said piston means having an upper counterbore, said cup being formed of sheet material having an offset central area surrounding its axial port, an annular lip of a thickness equal to the depth of said offset extending upwardly from the piston means around said counterbore, flared outwardly and nested within said offset area of said cup flush with the interior of said cup..

6. A fluid dispenser comprising a container, cylinder means removably mounted upon said container and depending thereinto, piston means mounted for reciprocation within and normally projecting, upwardly beyond said cylinder means and including axially spaced abutments, said cylinder and piston means each. having and defining a continuous communicating fluid passage there- 7 through, valve means in said cylinder means and said piston means, the latter means being effective to pump a fluid upwardly from said container through said passage, an axially ported cup disposed at the upper end of said piston -means in a position to receive a flow from said passage, and adjustable means associated with said cylinder and piston means to limit the extent of relative reciprocating movement of the piston means within the cylinder means, said piston means having an upper counterbore, said cup being formed of sheet material having an offset central area surrounding its axial port, an annular lip of a thickness equal to the depth of said offset extending upwardly from the piston means around said counterbore, flared outwardly and nested within said ofiset area of said cup flush with the interior of said cup, said cylinder means including a cup-shaped apron adapted to nestingly accommodate said cup in a lower limit of said reciprocatory movement and a female threaded downwardly turned rim depending from the outer edge of said apron for threaded securement to said container.

7. A fluid dispenser comprising a container, cylinder means removably mounted upon said container and depending thereinto, pistonmeans mounted for reciprocation within and normally projecting upwardly beyond said cylinder means and including axially spaced abutments, said cylinder and piston means each having and defin- 'ing a continuous communicating fluid passage therethrough, valve means in said cylinder means and said piston means, the latter means being .efiective to pump a fluid upwardly from said container through said passage, an axially ported cup disposed at the upper end of said piston means in a position to receive a flow from said passage, and adjustable means associated with said cylinder and piston means to limit the extent of relative reciprocating movement of the piston means within the cylinder means, said piston means having an upper counterbore, said cup being formed of sheet material having an offset central area surrounding its axial port, an annular lip of a thickness equal to the depth of said offset extending upwardly fromthe piston means around said counterbore, flaredoutwardly and nested within said offset area of said cup flush with the interior of said cup, said cylinder means including a cup-shaped apron adaptedto nestingly accommodate said cup in a lower limit of said reciprocatory movement and a female J threaded downwardly turned rim 11' depending from the outer edge of said apron for threaded securement to said container, an annular flange depending from the rim of the cup and adapted to fit over and telescope with said downwardly turned rim during said reciprocating movement.

8. A fluid dispenser comprising a container, cylinder means removably mounted upon said container and depending thereinto, piston means mounted for reciprocation within and normally projecting upwardly beyond said cylinder means and including axially spaced abutments, said cylinder and piston means each having and defining a continuous communicating fluid passage therethrough, valve means in said cylinder means and said piston means, the latter means being efiective to pump a fluid upwardly from said container through said passage, an axially ported cup disposed at the upper end of said piston means in a position. to receive a flow from said passage, and adjustable means associated with said cylinder and piston means to limit the extent ofv relative reciprocating movement of the piston means within the cylinder means, said piston means having an upper counterbore, said cup being formed of sheet material having an offset central area surrounding its axial port, an annular lip of a thickness equal to the depth of said offset extending upwardly from the piston means around said counterbore, flared outwardly and nest within said oiTset area of said cup flush with the interior of said cup, said cylinder means including a cup-shaped apron adapted to nestingly accommodate said cup in a lower limit of said reciprocatory movement and a female threaded downwardly turned rim depending from the outer edge of said apron for threaded securement to said container, an annular flange depending from the rim of the cup and adapted to fit over and telescope with said downwardly turned rim during said reciprocating movement, a domeshaped cover hingedly secured to the rim of the cup and including a down-turned marginal edge, a hinge pin of substantial length confined within said marginal edge by inherent spring tension and comprising'a pintle for said hinged securement.

9. A fluid dispenser comprising a container, cylinder means removably mounted upon said container and depending thereinto, a piston means mounted for reciprocation within and normally projecting upwardly beyond said cylinder means and including axially spaced abutments, said cylinder and piston means each having and defining a continuous. communicating fluid passage therethrough, valve means in said cylinder means and said piston means, the latter means being effective to pump a fluid upwardly from said container through said passage, an axially ported cup disposed at the upper end of said piston means in a position to receive a flow from'said passage, and adjustable means associated with said cylinder and piston means to limit the extent of relative reciprocating movement of the piston means within the cylinder means, said piston means having an upper counterbore, said cup being formed of sheet material having an offset central area surrounding its axial port, an annular lip of a thickness equal to the depth of said offset extending upwardly from the piston means around said counterbore, flared outwardly and nested within said offset area of said cup flush withthe interior of said cup, said cylinder means including. a cupehdped apron adapted to nestingly accommodate said cup in a lower limit of said reciprocatory movement and a female threaded downwardly turned rim depending from the outer edge of said apron for threaded securement to said container, an annular flange depending from the rim of the cup and adapted to fit over and telescope with said downwardly turned rim during said reciprocating movement, a dome-shaped cover hingedly secured to the rim of the cup and including a down-turned marginal edge, a hinge pin of substantial length confined within said marginal edge by inherent spring tension and comprising a pintle for said hinged securement, said cup rim and said cover having complementary hingeforming ears formed therein comprising said.

hinge structure for said pintle.

10. In a fluid dispenser comprising a container, cylinder means removably mounted upon said container and depending thereinto, piston means mounted for reciprocation within and normally projecting upwardly beyond said cylinder means and including axially spaced abutments, said cylinder and piston means each having and defining a continuous communicating fluid passage therethrough, valve means in said cylinder means and said piston means, the latter means being effective to pump a fluid upwardly from said container through said passage, an axially ported cup disposed at the upper end of said piston means in a position to receive a flow from said passage, and adjustable means associated with said cylinder and piston means to limit the extent of relative reciprocating movement of the piston means within the cylinder means, the novelty comprising the outer wall of said piston means having a cut-out portion defining a fluid trap having axially spaced shoulders, encircling grooves formed in the corresponding outer wall of the cylinder means, ports formed in the bottoms of said grooves communicating with said fluid trap, and at least one C-shaped adjusting clip resident in at least one of said grooves and having one iii-turned portion extending into said fluid trap by means of said ports and for engagement with said shoulders to limit the reciprocative movement of said piston and cylinder means, at least one of said ports being in open communication with the interior of the container and said fluid trap as and for a drain for the latter.

11. A dispensing apparatus for a fluid container comprising a spring-loaded piston and cylinder pump means depending into the container, a screw cap for the container supporting the pump means vertically therein, and a ported cup having. an annular flange depending from the rim thereof in telescoping reciprocatory relation with said cap when the pump is actuated for guiding said pumping movement and for shielding said pump mechanism, adjacent surfaces of said flange and said cap having complementary vertical grooves and ridges longitudinally slidable within one another during said pumping movement, a cover for said dish pivotally secured to the rim of the cup on a vertical pintle and having an upwardly projecting finger piece formed thereon diametrically opposite said vertical pintle for manipulating the cover, about said pintle, adjacent surfaces of said flange and said cap having complementary vertical grooves and ridges longitudinally slidable within one anothefduring said pumping movement.

12. A fluid dispenser comprising container, cylinder means removably mounted upon said container and depending thereinto, piston means mounted for reciprocation within and normally projectingupwardly beyond said cylinder means and including axially spaced abutments, said cylinder and piston means each having and defining a continuous communicating fluid passage therethrough, valve means in said cylinder means and said piston means, the latter means being effective to pump a fluid upwardly from said container through said passage, an axially ported cup disposed at the upper end of said piston means in a position to receive a flow from said passage, and adjustable means associated with said cylinder and piston means to limit the extent of relative reciprocating movement of the piston means within the cyilnder means; said;

the cylinder, a cover for said dish pivotally se- 13. In a fluid dispenser comprising a container, cylinder means removably mounted upon said container and depending thereinto, piston means mounted for reciprocation within and normally projecting yieldably upwardly beyond said cylinder means and including axially spaced abutments, said cylinder and piston means defining a continuous communicating fluid passage therethrough, valve means in said cylinder means and said piston means, the latter means being effective to pump a fluid upwardly from said container through said passage, and an axially ported cup disposed at the upper end of said piston means in a position to receive a flow from said passage: a wall of the cylinder being formed with radial holes in axially spaced relationship, a spring clamp clampable around the cylinder and including an end adapted to be carried in any selected hole for engagement with said abutments to adjust the extent of relative reciprocating movement of the piston means within the cylinder means, said cylinder being formed with circumferentially disposed peripheral grooves communicating with said respective holes for receiving a spring clamp in any pairs of holes.

BENJAMIN DAVID MENKIN. FRANK M. DARLING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 925,629 Frank et al June 22, 1909 2,095,622 Wilson Oct. 12, 1937 2,378,624 Edwards June 19, 1945 

